Ovidiu
I come from a place that could easily be described as the end of the world. Growing up in a pristine environment has turned out to be a true blessing – one of which I was unaware until I moved to the UK and started studying tourism. I quickly realised that my passion for the travel and tourism industry came from a bizarre combination: lack of experience and endless curiosity.
My favourite book as a child was an encyclopaedia which had picture of volcanoes, forests, and, most fascinating of all, people – people that were different from me in their appearance, their language, and their food. I was captivated by the possibility of meeting these people one day.
I haven’t always had the opportunity to travel. By the time I finished high school I understood that I would have to make changes to generate those opportunities, and – a few years later – I had graduated university, I was living in a new country, and I had visited a number of countries.
Insider tip
Jordan is a beautiful country which is famous for Petra, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a destination on a lot of people’s bucket list.
For me, the most beautiful part about this country is the walk to Petra’s Treasury building, and the first glimpse you get of it. My advice would be to visit the Treasury in the morning; that way you will avoid the crowds and you will understand why they call it the ‘rose-red city’.
As one of the oldest cities in the world, Petra attracts visitors from across the globe. A useful tip for all those planning to visit is to barter – never agree to pay the first amount they ask for, as the real price is sometimes even 10 times less that the asking price.
Favourite experience
It’s hard to pick a favourite experience, but whenever I try, there is always one that pops to mind. I have always been adventurous and liked exciting, almost dangerous activities. Because we had great mountain areas close to where I grew up, I spent a lot of time exploring the beautiful forests and the high hills. My favourite experience was the quad bikes rides; we would spend hours riding and, in the winter, we would switch to snowmobiles. The beautiful scenery of the Madaras Mountains is something I will never forget.
Favourite place
Without a doubt, my favourite place to go is Budapest in Hungary. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Budapest is the beautiful architecture, the stunning parliament building and the mesmerising castles across the river. I love going to Heroes’ Square by myself, climbing the lion statue and watching people walking by.
The thing about Budapest is that there is always something new to discover, a new reason to love this city, a new favourite coffee shop or place to go to; it surprises me every single time I visit. That is how I know it is a special destination.
Favourite hotel
The InterContinental Amman in Jordan is one of my favourite hotels. It has the most amazing view of the city, and the rooms are nicely decorated. Among the various restaurants, my absolute favourite is the Indian one. This restaurant is well known in Amman, and some say it is the best Indian food you can find in the city.
What I like about this hotel is the attention to detail, the hospitality of the staff and the quality of the service. This hotel is the first 5-star hotel in Jordan and the second in the Middle East, so it has a legacy and a reputation. The recent hotel renovation added a premium wing with new rooms, with a unique design and a truly luxurious feel.